Local derby to decide title hopes
‘‘It will be really lovely for the players and the club if we can do it against Papatoetoe. But it's nothing is a given. ’’
Manukau City can wrap up the northern football league’s division two premiership against Papatoetoe AFC on Saturday.
Kevin Fallon and his team secured themselves promotion to division one next season with their 2-1 win over Te Atatu last Saturday. But having done they can claim the double by winning the local derby at Murdoch Park, Papatoetoe.
‘‘It will be really lovely for the players and the club if we can do it against Papatoetoe. But it’s nothing is a given. It’s a local derby. We won the first leg 4-0 at Walter Massey Park so Papatoetoe will be seeking a little bit of retribution. They’d like prove they can beat us.’’
Fallon appreciates the significance of the match and the implications of a loss. Second placed Waitemata are three points behind in the premiership race and have fingers crossed that Manukau stumble against Papatoetoe on Saturday and in their catch up match against Ngaruawahia in Ngaruawahia on September 3.
That would hand the west Aucklanders the title if they win their final two games against Ngaruawahia on Saturday and Te Atatu on September 10.
It one reason why Fallon, who signed a contract to coach Papatoetoe two years ago but got turned down at the last minute, wants the job done on Saturday.
Manurewa and Papakura City are running polar opposites in division one. Second placed Manurewa will secure promotion to the premier league with a win over premiership winners Waitakere City at War Memorial Park, Manurewa on September 10.
But they have a close eye on Papakura City match against third place Mt Albert Ponsonby at McLennan Park, Papakura on Saturday.
A win to Mt Albert Ponsonby, who are just one point behind the blues, will put Manurewa in a position where they’ll have to beat Waitakere City to win promotion. A tie will see Manurewa need only a draw to secure their elevation.
At the other end of the table, Papakura City can’t after either with 10th placed Hibiscus Coast breathing down their necks.
A win will keep Papakura in the second division next year. A loss or a draw could send them tumbling if Hibiscus Coast beat last placed Mangere United at Centre Park on Saturday.